Tomorrow afternoon Crewe Alexandra travel to South Yorkshire to face Doncaster Rovers, the hosts’ playing squad containing former Alex loanee Jamie Sterry.
NB: As it is in the international break, this game is available on Sky Sports+
This Season:
This season sees Donny sit in 4th place in the league having won against Accrington Stanley, Morecambe, Port Vale, Gillingham, Barrow and Grimsby Town, they have drawn against MK Dons while they have lost against Newport County, Harrogate Town and Chesterfield.
They lost against Everton in the Carabao Cup 2nd Round (after knocking out Salford City in the previous round) while they beat Huddersfield Town before losing to Manchester United’s Under-21s on penalties in the EFL Trophy to sit 2nd in their group.
Transfers:
They have signed defenders Tom Nixon and Josh Emmanuel, midfielders Harry Clifton, Jordan Gibson and Joe Sbarra as well as forward Billy Sharp on permanent deals. Goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe, defender Brandon Fleming, midfielder Patrick Kelly and forward Ephraim Yeboah have all joined on season-long loans.
Leaving the club this summer were Harrison Biggins, Ben Bottomley, Charlie Seaman, Liam Ravenhill, Jon Taylor, Maxime Biamou and Tommy Rowe all left when their deals expired as well as the retiring Caolan Lavery.
Forwards Deji Sotona and George Miller joined Eastleigh and Cheltenham Town respectively for undisclosed fees while a number of players have been loaned out this season.
Coaches Thoughts:
Here are the thoughts of the two sets of coaching staff heading into the game:
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 39
Donny Wins: 45
Draws: 27
Biggest Alex Win: 8-0 at the Alexandra Stadium in December 2002, EFL Trophy
Biggest Donny Win: 6-0 at Belle Vue in April 1961
Last Meeting
Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Crewe Alexandra, 10th May 2024
Trailing 2-0 after the first leg a few days before in last season’s League 2 play-off semi-final, Mickey Demetriou would open the scoring for the Alex in the 6th minute before James Maxwell’s own goal 10 minutes later saw the tie level. There would be no more goals in the 90 minutes or extra time with the visitors winning on penalties.
Crewe: Stryjek; Billington, Turns, Demetriou, Adebisi; Thomas (Leigh 85), Tabiner (Austerfield 58); Tracey (Baker-Richardson 65), Rowe (Cooney 85), Long (Holicek 58); Nevitt (Kirk 105)
Booked: Nevitt 23, Rowe 39, Austerfield 120
Donny: Lo-Tutula; Sterry (Miller 112), Anderson, Wood, Maxwell (Olowu 112); Bailey, Craig (Westbrooke 101); Molyneux, Rowe (Hurst 60), Adelakun; Ironside
Booked: Lo-Tutula 120 (during shootout)
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Ademola Bankole, David Button, Ross Etheridge, Stuart Jones, Ross Turnbull
Defenders: Richard Annan, Donervon Daniels, Peter Johnson, Ryan Kirby, Stuart Mason, George Page, Jamie Sterry, Barry Swallow, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Harry Worley
Midfielders: Peter Clark, Peter Farrell, Dan Gardner, Madger Gomes, Conor Grant, Paul Green, Scott Robertson, Jermaine Wright
Forwards: George Alcock, Billy Boardman, Jordan Bowery, Colin Cramb, Alan Daley, Paul Edwards, Uche Ikpeazu, Alex Kiwomya, Eddie McMorran, Mike Newell, Billy Poyntz, George Ratcliffe, John Regan, Ray Sambrook, Barry Tait, Gareth Taylor, Albert Valentine, Robbie Wakenshaw, Billy Waters, Billy Whitehurst
Officials:
The EFL have announced that Ben Atkinson is tomorrow’s referee with Daniel Woodward and Adam Nichol assisting him and Jack Forder-Hay the fourth official. Atkinson has refereed the following Crewe game in the last 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 2-2 Mansfield Town (5th August 2023) – Demetriou, Adebisi
